In a marathon meeting that lasted until 11:26 p.m., the Princeton City Council began discussion on how to create greater authority over future data center development. The Monday, June 8, meeting ran long because the agenda included items from the May 18 meeting that was canceled for lack of a quorum.

No formal action on data centers was taken at the meeting, but councilmembers broadly supported moving forward with zoning amendments and debated how quickly the city could begin the public hearing process.

Director of Development Services Shai Roos told council the city is already seeing interest in data center projects, including one proposed well outside Princeton’s city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Under current regulations, data centers are permitted by right in all commercial and industrial zoning districts, with no special review process required. So, Roos said, a data center could potentially be developed on eligible property without additional council review.

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